Search form

Search form

INF Printing Best Practices

Reduce Shifting

Material differences between PLA/ABS and INF can cause the print pad to shift when printing supports with INF material. Friction stickers should be added to the print pad level adjustment knobs.

Remove the print pad from the printer.

Wipe the adjustment knobs with a clean, soft cloth dampened with water. Ensure the knobs are dry before continuing.

Peel away the friction stickers (provided) and apply them to each of the three adjustment knobs.

NOTE: Once the stickers have been placed, do not add more stickers at any time.

Dispose of all debris from the bins.

Reinstall the print pad.

Perform the Auto level procedure.

Reduce Printing Defects

Auto Level should be performed at the beginning of each test and each time the display prompts you to perform the procedure.

Reduce Voids in Printing

To reduce voids in your prints, empty all debris from the purge bins. In addition, verify that no print material has collected around the jet wipers.

Glue

Using Cube Glue is always recommended for printing, especially for areas of the print pad where INF prints. Ensure that glue is applied to the print pad in an area that is larger than the base of your part.

PURGING PLA AND INF

Purging is not always required but is recommended after performing a long print. This will ensure that both jets are clear and ready for the next print. Purge the PLA print jet and then purge the INF print jet before printing a new part.

Position The Part To Optimize The Print

For best results, position PLA parts in a way where there are fewer horizontal spans between vertical features.

Preferred

Note the horizontal features of this part. Even though the bars in this part span a significant distance, these features will be properly supported by INF material.

Not Preferred

Note the vertical features of the part in this illustration. Spanning PLA material between multiple vertical features may not print as intended.

Maintain Larger Footprints

Arrange the part where you will have the largest footprint touching the print pad. You may also add a sidewalk to your print to increase the footprint.

Use PLA material to anchor your part to the print pad.

Preferred

Note the contact point of this part. Adding a sidewalk will stabilize it even more.

Not Preferred

Note the limited contact point of this part. This part may not be stable enough to print properly.

Maintain Gaps

To ensure there is enough space for INF support, maintain at least .6 mm between components that need to print with separation.

Level The Nozzles

If PLA and INF material do not adhere to one another, check the nozzle level. Print the nozzle level test file and adjust as needed.

NOTE: Auto Level should always be performed before the Auto Gap procedure.

NOTE: Auto Level should be performed when the printer is positioned away from bright lights or direct sunlight.

Auto Level

Navigate to the Print Plate Calibration screen and select AUTO LEVEL.

Clean the print pad thoroughly removing all glue and debris. Select the checkmark to continue.

NOTE: The surface of the print pad must be completely clean.

NOTE: The Auto Level procedure will begin.

Once the Auto Level procedure has completed, select the checkmark to verify the Z-Gap. If the print pad is out of range, proceed to the Manual Level procedure.

The printer will begin checking the Z-gap.

NOTE: The printer will perform an automated gap measurement. This may take a few minutes.

If Auto Gap is successful, select the checkmark to continue.

NOTE: If Auto Gap is not successful, it is recommended that you perform Auto Level and Auto Gap again. Select AUTO LEVEL to continue.

NOTE: If Auto Gap is not successful the second time, select PLATE MAINTENANCE. For more information, refer to the section titled Print Pad Maintenance. Once the Plate Maintenance procedure has been performed, perform Auto Level and Auto Gap.

NOTE: If Auto Gap is still not successful, select MANUAL GAP ADJUSTMENT. Refer to the section titled Manual Level for more information. Once the Manual Gap Adjustment procedure has been performed, note the final reading for future reference.

Manual Level

If the print pad is out of range, you will need to perform a manual adjustment.

Remove the print pad and select the checkmark to continue.

NOTE: To remove it, lift up the front of the print pad and pull it out of the printer. The print pad is magnetically attached to the adjustment knobs.

When prompted, loosen the lock screw that is indicated on the touchscreen display. Select the checkmark to continue.

NOTE: Use a 1.5 mm Allen wrench that is included with the printer.

NOTE: The lock screw (1) is located just below the adjustment knob (2). The lock screw for adjustment knob B can be accessed from the front of the printer. The lock screw for adjustment knob A can be accessed from behind the printer.

Follow the instructions on the touchscreen display. Once the adjustments have been made, select the checkmark to continue.

When prompted, tighten the lock screw enough to ensure the adjustment knob does not easily turn. Select the checkmark to continue.

Caution: Do not over-tighten the lock screw. This can damage the adjustment knob and void the manufacturer’s warranty.

Reinstall the print pad and select the checkmark to perform the Auto Level procedure again.

NOTE: Select SKIP to bypass the Auto Level procedure. It is recommended that Auto Level procedure is performed again.

Once Auto Level is successful, the printer will begin checking the Z-gap.

NOTE: The printer will perform an automated gap measurement. This may take a few minutes.

Select the checkmark to continue.

NOTE: If Auto Gap is not successful, it is recommended that you perform Auto Level and Auto Gap again. Select AUTO LEVEL to continue.

NOTE: If Auto Gap is not successful the second time, select PLATE MAINTENANCE. For more information, refer to the section titled Print Pad Maintenance. Once the Plate Maintenance procedure has been performed, perform Auto Level and Auto Gap.

NOTE: If Auto Gap is still not successful, select MANUAL GAP ADJUSTMENT. Refer to the section titled Manual Gap Adjustment for more information. Once the Manual Gap Adjustment procedure has been performed, note the final reading for future reference.

Gap Verification

Print a test print from the System 1 menu. Once you have removed it from the print pad, visually inspect the first (bottom) layer of the print and verify the quality. Turn the print upside down and inspect the printing grain. When the gap is optimal, the bottom of the print should appear smooth and the lines should be very light and fused together.

Correct Gap

The gap is correct when the bottom of the print appears smooth and the lines are tightly fused together.

Gap Is Too Large

If the lines are more prominent (see the illustration below) and not tightly fused, the gap is too large. Auto Level and Auto Gap should be performed. When the gap is too large, the first layer may begin to fray when removing the print from the print pad.

Gap Is Too Narrow

When the gap is too narrow, the part may be very difficult to remove from the print pad. In addition, the bottom layers may break off from the rest of the part while removing it. The bottom of the first layer will appear very smooth and shiny with almost no visible lines.

NOTE: If the bottom of the part appears shiny, make sure all glue has been removed and then reinspect it.

Caution: Damage to the print pad can occur if the gap is too narrow.

Manual Gap Adjustment

If Auto Gap is unsuccessful, you may perform a manual gap adjustment to ensure the first layer of the part prints properly.

NOTE: The print pad must be clean and free from glue and print material.

NOTE: Ensure the print jet nozzles are clean and free from print material. This can usually be accomplished by pulling out the print material with your fingers.

Caution: Ensure the print jet nozzles are at room temperature before attempting to clean them.

Select MANUAL GAP ADJUSTMENT.

Place the gap gauge on top of the print pad under the left print jet. Select the checkmark to continue.

NOTE: Ensure the left cartridge is installed before performing this procedure.

NOTE: The Gap Gauge is a thin polyester strip approximately 8.5” (216 mm) long and 1.5” (38 mm) wide.

Gently slide the gap gauge back and forth between the print pad and the left print jet. Using the arrows, raise or lower the print pad until you feel a slight resistance on the gauge. Select the checkmark when you feel the proper resistance.

Caution: Exercise caution to prevent the print jet from pressing into the print pad. Once you feel a slight resistance in the Gap Gauge as it moves between the print pad and the left print jet, the gap is correct.

Glue

Using Cube Glue is always recommended for printing, especially for areas of the print pad where INF prints. Ensure that glue is applied to the print pad in an area that is larger than the base of your part.